Interview with Ashley Martin about "Lost No More" (book)

Author Interview with Ashley Martin about her debut book “Lost No More: A Daily Path to God in the Midst of Your Deepest Valleys”

Alexis: Congratulations on writing and publishing your first book! Tell us about your journey to publication as a first-time author. Who was your publisher?

Ashley: I published with Called Creatives Publishing, a hybrid publisher, and it was truly a boutique experience. They walked me through every step of the process with clarity and detailed guidance. Nothing felt rushed or overwhelming. Their team brought real expertise to the editing, layout, and design, but what stood out most was how well they listened. My opinions and wishes weren't just heard; they were woven into every decision. The result is a book that is completely mine: my story, my personality, my calling.

Alexis: What was the most difficult part of your journey to publication?

Ashley: The most difficult part was revisiting those dark places: my first day of rehab, the mental and emotional pain I was carrying at the time. But my readers cannot truly understand the miracles God has performed in my life without knowing the depth of what He brought me through.

Alexis: What was the most rewarding part of writing your personal story in this book?

Ashley: Answering God's call to write my story. No words can fully describe what I felt the moment I held the finished product in my hands.

Alexis: What do you hope readers will take away from your real-life story?

Ashley: Hope. No matter how lost you feel, you are never beyond God's reach. It all begins with surrender.

Alexis: Who is your core audience for this book? Share how you hope to reach those readers with your message.

Ashley: My core audience is women who feel lost from God, or who once did, whether because of alcoholism, addiction, or simply the busyness of life pulling them off course. I also wrote this for the woman who wants more structure in her daily walk with God but is not sure where to start. My hope is that the three pillars of this book—surrender, prayer, and service—guide every reader into a closer walk with Jesus Christ.

Alexis: What was the most challenging part of your journey out of darkness of alcohol dependency and into the light of sobriety and freedom?

Ashley: Admitting I was an alcoholic and knowing how to ask for help. Both required a level of surrender I had never practiced before.

Alexis: How did your faith in God help you overcome your challenges?

Ashley: My mom gave me my faith. She instilled it in me daily and lived it without ceasing. Once I surrendered and allowed God to take over, the faith of my childhood returned.

Alexis: You talk about “the discipline of surrender” in your book. Tell us more. What does that mean, what did it look like for you and how can practicing this discipline help others who are struggling?

Ashley: Surrender sounds passive, but it is anything but. For me, the discipline of surrender meant choosing every single day to stop fighting God and start trusting Him. In my addiction, I was convinced I could manage life on my own. Surrender meant releasing that. For me it looked like getting on my knees in the morning before my feet hit the floor. It looked like calling my sponsor when I wanted to handle something myself. It looked like saying, "God, I cannot do this, but You can."

The discipline is in the daily practice. Surrender is not a one-time decision. It is a choice you make over and over again, especially on the hard days. For anyone who is struggling, whether with addiction, anxiety, grief, or simply feeling like life is out of control, surrender is not giving up. It is finally choosing to trust the One (God) who can actually handle it.

Alexis: When and how did you first have a defining moment and encounter God’s grace?

Ashley: The night of my last drink. I went to bed and asked God what was wrong with me. He woke me in the middle of the night and whispered one word: alcohol. In that moment, I knew His mercy and grace in a way I never had before. The next morning, I got busy and changed my life.

Alexis: What do you mean when you say that your book is not about religious obligation but an invitation to transformation?

Ashley: Spirituality is a personal, continual, transforming journey with God — not a weekly obligation fulfilled by sitting in a pew and half-listening to a sermon while mentally running through your Monday to-do list. Faith should never be reduced to "I believe because I always have" or "I believe because I am afraid of hell." That is religion. This book is about something deeper. God's grace and love should move you. They should draw you in, change you from the inside, and invite you to become a better person simply because of how much He loves you.

Alexis: How did your background in teaching, ministry and community leadership play into writing this book?

Ashley: Every road led me to this book. My master's in history taught me how to research, write, and cite sources with integrity. My years in the classroom taught me how to explain concepts clearly, which is exactly what this book requires. My call into ministry would not let me be still until every word was on the page. And my work in the community is what will carry this message to the people who need it most.

Alexis: If you could meet your readers one-on-one for coffee or at your upcoming book signings, what would you say to their heart about this book? Share your answer in a few sentences.

Ashley: I would tell them this book was written for them. Not for the person who has it all together, but for the one who is tired of pretending she does. I want every reader to walk away knowing that God has never stopped pursuing her, and that it is never too late to surrender, pray, and serve your way into the life He always intended.

Alexis: Thank you for the interview, Ashley! Do you have any closing comments?

Ashley: Thank you so much for helping me promote my book! I just want anyone reading this to know that I am not a theologian or a lifelong saint. I am a woman in recovery who said yes to God, and He did the rest. If my story can point even one person toward surrender, this book has done its job. I am grateful for every opportunity to share it.

~*~
Author Bio:

Ashley Martin is a writer, educator and speaker passionate about helping others discover healing and purpose through faith. 

With a background in teaching, ministry, and community leadership, she blends Biblical truth with honest storytelling that resonates with readers navigating life’s hardest seasons.

Her work focuses on spiritual growth, recovery, and practical ways to walk with God daily. Through her writing and speaking, Ashley encourages people to move beyond survival and into a life marked by clarity, courage, and calling.

She is known for her relatable voice, authentic transparency, and ability to connect deeply with audiences seeking hope and direction.

~*~
Book Blurb for Lost No More:

What if the valley you are in right now is exactly where God has been waiting for you?

For nearly two decades, Ashley Martin lived under the crushing weight of alcohol dependency, broken trust, and a faith she could no longer feel. Then, in the unexpected quiet of a rehab facility, God met her and nothing has been the same since.

In Lost No More: A Daily Path to God in the Midst of Your Deepest Valleys, Ashley opens her life with rare and courageous transparency. She shares her journey through addiction, marital infidelity, and spiritual emptiness not to dwell in the darkness, but to show you the way out. With the practical wisdom of a Bible teacher and the hard-won grace of a woman who has lived it, Ashley guides you into a steady, daily rhythm of spiritual intimacy that does not require a perfect life, only a willing heart.

Whether you are quietly struggling to sense God's presence, overwhelmed by life's relentless demands, or walking through your own deepest valley, this book will meet you right where you are.

Inside the pages, you will discover how to:

• Surrender control daily and finally experience freedom from anxiety and fear
• Deepen your prayer life with practical, Scripture-rooted tools you can use every single day
• Unlock lasting spiritual peace through the discipline of serving others
• Reconnect with God through reflective journaling prompts and guided prayers woven throughout
• Find hope and healing even in the middle of your hardest season

Lost No More is not about religious obligation or checking spiritual boxes. It is an invitation from one broken, redeemed woman to stop drifting and start living in the peace that only God can give.

~*~

Buy Ashley's book on Amazon

Book Spotlight on "God, Where Are You?" by Dominique Young

GOD, WHERE ARE YOU?: The Book That Started as A Cry!

A guest post by Dominique Young

The book “God, Where Are You?” was not something I dreamed of writing since I was young. 

In fact, I never actually thought I was capable of writing a book. This book came from navigating a place of pain with God and learning that He is with us in our pain.

Let me tell you the story.

When I was pregnant with my second son I was struggling with mental health issues, depression, anxiety and what I what I would later find out was perinatal psychosis. To be honest I had been struggling with my mental health for years before this point, but I kept it hidden.

I thought that being a good Christian and having the right faith meant that I didn’t go through these things. The presence of mental health struggles in my life made me feel like I was an unworthy embarrassment to Jesus Christ. I wanted to fix myself before anyone else found out I was a Christian imposter.

So, I kept my mental health struggles silent, I went into prayer lines and never told the person what to pray for and just said “pray as the spirit leads” hoping that someone would pray the exact right prayer to make all this pain go away. I read all the books on how to pray. But nothing was working and one day, after a massive mental breakdown I landed in a mental hospital on a 72-hour hold, because after taking myself to the hospital voluntarily and explaining to the doctor was happening, he surmised that I was a danger to myself and others.

This was the moment that changed everything and little did I know that this would be the moment that would be the catalyst for this book. I cried in that hospital asking over and over again, “God, where are you?” After being released I was determined to find God. I was determined to understand why He wasn’t helping me.

This search for God took me on an amazing journey of reading the Bible cover to cover multiple times, starting Bible studies with groups of women and listening intently as they shared, learning from each person in the room, enrolling in seminary and spending countless hours in prayer. What started out as a complaint to God and a frustration at God for not healing me the way I wanted ended up being a journey of amazing discovery.

It wasn’t until 2023 that I realized that God wanted me to write a book, and not just any book, a book that walked alongside people on journey of discovering God in the middle of pain.

My personal journey was really broken into three phases, I didn’t realize that when I was walking through it, but in hindsight I could see it clearly. First, I found myself. I was hiding and without coming out of hiding, I wouldn’t be able to see God. My face was so very masked and as you know masks at times disrupt your vision. Next on my journey I found God. I found that He was with me in ways I could never imagine, which actually confused me because if He is with me why didn’t He stop the pain? 

That question brought me to the leg of my journey that honestly, I am still in today which is learning that it’s about more that God zapping away all my problems it’s about God being with me through them and me being with Him through them. It’s about relationship.

I felt led by the Holy Spirit to walk with others on their journey in 2023. I hope to encourage them through my own story to be willing to discover God within the pages of their own story.

Honestly “God, Where are You?” did not start out as a book in my life. It began as a cry and that cry turned into a tear-filled journey. And that journey, by God’s grace and through the support of Jevon Bolden (my literary agent) and NavPress (my book publisher), it is now a book that can serve as a travel companion for others on the journey of finding God in pain, grief, depression, and darkness.

~*~
Author Bio:

Dominique Young is the founder of Faith Mamas Inc./Faith Family Worldwide), a community of 6,000+ Christian women and a private app serving over 1,700 believers. 

She helps others break free from fear through Scripture and has been featured on the “Don’t Mom Alone” and “Refreshed Moms” podcasts.

Dominique holds a psychology degree from Hampton University and is pursuing her MA in Theology at Fuller Seminary.

She is also a devoted wife and mother of four.

~*~
Book Blurb:

Here is a safe space for your deepest questions and your hidden pain.

If you’re silently suffering under the weight of depression, anxiety, shame, grief, and spiritual doubt, Dominique Young helps you discover the nearness of a God who does not shy away from your brokenness. In this safe space, you are invited to take off your mask, confront your hidden pain, and be seen by God for who you truly are―beloved.

Far from a quick fix or feel-good message, God, Where Are You? is a vulnerable, faith-filled journey that uses heartfelt storytelling and practical tools to help you wrestle with real emotions and deep questions―like how to deal with failure, how to find your true identity, and more.

Practical tools include:

Tracing God Devotionals: Explore Bible verses at the end of each chapter and learn how to recognize God’s character and presence even in hard places.

Reflection Questions: Through self-examination, you can heal deeply and receive clarity, healing, and personal revelation.

Prayers: Each chapter includes heartfelt prayers that bridge raw emotion and spiritual intimacy, modeling honest and hopeful dialogue with God.

God, Where Are You? is not just a book to be read―it’s a healing journey to be walked. With authenticity, compassion, and biblical grounding, Dominique is your traveling companion to uncover the life-giving truth: even in the silence, God is near.

~*~
Buy this book:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Books-A-Million

Christian Book

Walmart

Romantic Reads: This Wandering Heart (book) by Janine Rosche

Welcome Janine Rosche to the blog today!

She's here to talk about her debut novel, This Wandering Heart.

Janine is offering a signed, paperback copy of her book to the winner of the giveaway contest hosted via the Rafflecopter widget at the end of this blog post! 

Since mailing books internationally is expensive, you must be a resident of the United States of America to enter the contest. Enjoy your time with Janine!

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Interview with Janine Rosche about her debut book,
This Wandering Heart (Madison River Romance Book 1):

Alexis: What inspired you to write This Wandering Heart as your debut book?

Janine: When I graduated from high school, I flipped through my father's road atlas. From my house, I was able to drag my finger along a path from my home to anywhere in the continental United States. Something about that realization unearthed a longing to set out on my own and discover everything from east to west. Now that I'm settled—married with children—I still struggle with that desire to wander wild.

Alexis: How did you create your main characters for this story?

Janine: Keira isn’t too dissimilar to me in one specific way, so she was relatively easy to create. I feel the same push-and-pull that Keira feels, although her wounds cut much deeper. As for Robbie, I knew I'd need to create a fantastic hero to walk beside her as she discovers herself.

Alexis: Tell us about your story’s heroine, Keira. What are her likes, dislikes, hopes and dreams?

Janine: During her abusive and controlling childhood, Keira read novels and watched travel television shows to mentally escape. Now, as an adult, she wants to photograph that world and share it with others who can’t travel. She also loves the freedom of traveling on her own, but she can’t seem to forget the guy she once left behind.

Alexis: Tell us about your story’s hero, Robbie. Describe his looks, personality and character.

Janine: Robbie is a kindhearted former football star with a great sense of humor that he uses to hide his insecurity thanks to a learning disability. Above all, he has a lot of integrity, but also a serious lack of impulse control that has gotten him in trouble in the past. Oh, and he’s real strong with auburn curls that peek out from under his baseball cap.

Alexis: What makes Robbie swoonworthy and conflicted about his feelings for Keira?

Janine: Robbie is loyal, especially to the women in his life: his mama, his sister, and his four-year-old daughter. So naturally, he feels a driving desire to help and protect Keira despite the fact that she hurt him in the past.

Alexis: What is it about Robbie that keeps Keira coming back to him?

Janine: He’s perfect? Is that an answer? I mean, he loves her so well and would give up almost anything to make her dreams come true. He once saved her from her father and encouraged her to imagine dreams in the first place. He’s the one man she’s ever known who didn’t want to keep her in a cage.

Alexis: Both Keira and Robbie have developed online personas centered on travel. Why?

Janine: Keira is a high school geography teacher so to keep some anonymity she started travel-blogging/social-media-influencing with an alias, Kat Wanderfull. Robbie stumbled onto social media, and wouldn’t still be on there if he’d never crossed paths with Kat Wanderfull who gives him hope that maybe there’s a right girl out there for him.

Alexis: What role do Keira and Robbie’s online personas play in their personal story offline?

Janine: Robbie’s pretty straightforward. He’s been the same guy since he was seventeen and first fell for Keira. He only hides his identity to make “Kat” feel comfortable chatting with him. But Keira has lived her whole life not knowing who she is. Her multiple names symbolize the people she has been and wants to be. That’s a big part of her journey—figuring out her true identity.

Alexis: Why did you set this story in Montana? What about that great state do you love?

Janine: My father introduced me to Montana. I used to love going out there and watching him and my brothers fish the Madison River. After he passed away, I wanted to find a way to memorialize him and give him the retirement he never got. Enter Chuck Matthews, Robbie’s father, who owns a fly-fishing resort on the Madison.

Alexis: Your debut book is the first installment in your Madison River Romance series. What can you tell us about the next books in your series? Will they all take place in Montana?

Janine: While this is an on-the-road romance, Robbie and Keira’s home base is Montana. The next two books take place almost entirely in the Madison River Canyon. The next book is about Robbie’s wild-haired, strong-willed sister, Ryann. She’s my hero!

Alexis: Who is Anabelle and what role does her mother play in creating conflict for this story?

Janine: Anabelle is the result of one of Robbie’s impulsive moments, but from the minute he knows about her existence, he acts as her protector. He cares for her the way a father should care for his daughter and gives up everything for her, especially when Anabelle’s mother abandons her. But now, she’s back and demanding custody. Robbie can’t let her take his girl away.

Alexis: Why do Keira and Robbie struggle with trust issues?

Janine: They’ve each hurt each in the past. Sometimes the best intentions aren’t enough.

Alexis: What brings Keira and Robbie together?

Janine: Keira has a big opportunity to land a travel television show if only she can convince the producers that her followers will fall in love with the person behind Kat Wanderfull. For that, she needs an assistant—and Robbie is the only one who can help her do that.

Alexis: What – or who – threatens to tear Keira and Robbie apart forever?

Janine: Robbie would give up anything for Keira, except his little girl. If this custody battle goes south, he may have to choose between them. Keira struggles with intimacy. Having Robbie close to her side is amazing—she knows from experience. But for her, losing him is devastating—she knows that as well. She can’t risk that pain again.

Alexis: As a Christian author, what role does your faith play in sustaining the fictional lives of your characters in This Wandering Heart story?

Janine: Keira’s desire to “wander” is pretty symbolic of our relationship to God. Fear and a need to be independent combine to keep up from trusting God with our lives. I know I feel that in my own faith. The lyrics from “Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing” describe this perfectly: “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love. Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it. Seal it for thy courts above.” Bind my wandering heart to thee is my constant prayer.

Alexis: What do you want your readers to remember the most about your debut book?

Janine: One reviewer thought Robbie was too forgiving of Keira’s unwillingness to trust him. And I agree! It defies what most of us have experienced in life. But I hope they see the patience he has with her. He doesn’t force her, doesn’t pressure her, and certainly doesn’t cage her, not unlike how God pursues us. I hope readers rest easy afterward knowing that they are gloriously loved, the same way Robbie loves Keira.

Alexis: Now for the quick and fun questions in italics with your answers in plain font …

Coffee or tea? Sweet Tea! I lived in the south for eight years and I miss it!

Summer or Spring? Summer, because I get to travel!

Kindle or paperback books? Paperback a million times over.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Janine!

~*~
Author Bio:

Prone to wander, Janine Rosche finds as much comfort on the open road as she does at home. 

This longing to chase adventure, behold splendor, and experience redemption is woven into her Madison River Romance series. 

When she isn’t writing or traveling, she teaches family life education courses to college students, takes too many pictures of her sleeping dogs, and embarrasses her four children and husband with boy band serenades.

~*~
Blurb for This Wandering Heart:

In the first entry in the Madison River Romance series, Keira Knudsen gets the traveling opportunity of a lifetime, but when she reunites with her first love, Robbie, she learns that even a wandering heart needs a home. ... 

No one in the quaint town of West Yellowstone, Montana, knows that unassuming geography teacher Keira Knudsen moonlights as sensational travel blogger Kat Wanderfull. No one, that is, except for her first love, Robbie Matthews, who has just discovered the woman he is falling for online is the same one that broke his heart five years ago.

But Robbie has another problem: the mother of his daughter, Anabelle, has resurfaced after a three-year absence determined to rip Anabelle away from him. Robbie needs a steady paycheck for a chance at custody, and now, on the eve of a grand adventure that could give Keira a chance to flee her old, troubled life once and for all, she is in need of assistance.

With so much broken trust between them, Keira and Robbie must keep an arms-length away to make this partnership work. But the more time they spend together, exploring majestic places and sharing new experiences, the closer they get–until their secrets and dreams threaten to cost them everything.

~*~
Buy Janine's book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble

~*~
Connect with Janine:
Website: http://www.JanineRosche.com
Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/janineroscheauthor
Reader group, The Love Wander Read Book Club:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/600718360423024/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/janinerosche
Instagram: www.instagram.com/janinerosche
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/janinerosche/
Author Newsletter Link: http://janinerosche.com/the-love-wander-read-journal/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/janine-rosche
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/janinerosche

~*~

United States of America residents ONLY may enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with Melony Teague about her book "A Promise to Keep"

Interview with Melony Teague about her book A Promise to Keep:

Congrats on writing and publishing your debut book, A Promise to Keep! I thought it was a spectacular story, but that’s just my honest opinion! *wink* 

Let’s talk about it …

Alexis: When was this story created in your imagination? Tell me about your creative process.

Melony: I started writing the book in 2018. I wanted to write about a high school reunion and all the emotions that go with that, especially a 20-year reunion. Once I’d gotten past chapter three and got a sense of who the characters were, I fell in love with them. They pretty much took on a life of their own after that. Although I had a synopsis to start with, there were some surprises, and surprise characters that demanded an entrance along the way.

Alexis: Why did you write this book?

Melony: I wrote this book because I wanted to be able to take people on a journey for a few hours – an escape from the messiness of life, if you will. And, in the process I hoped to write a story that would not only entertain but be meaningful.

Alexis: Tell me about the heroine of your story, Savannah Sanderson. What does she look like, sound like and act like? What are her primary passions in life?

Melony: Savannah Sanderson is a research librarian and she was born in South Africa, but is now living in the USA. So she has a South African accent (just like I do.) She has caramel colored, long hair and blue eyes. Her passions are books and reading. She hasn’t had much time for anything else since she has been a caregiver for so long.

Alexis: Tell me about the hero of your story, Michael McCann. What does he look like, sound like and act like? What – or who – is his greatest dream?

Melony: Michael McCann is a technical rescuer. He is tall, and has longish hair – just above his shoulders. He has blue eyes. Michael is, well, you’ll find out more when you read the book. And as for his greatest dream, well, you’ll also have to read the book for that, but here’s a hint: he thinks his dream is unattainable.

Alexis: Why doesn’t Savannah recognize Michael when she reunites with him right before their high school reunion, even after he clearly has not forgotten her?

Melony: Michael McCann is not the boy he used to be in high school, and most of us can relate to this. Life changes you and teaches you lessons, sometimes hard lessons. Michael is no different and he struggles with his “who I was then” and “who I am now” persona.

Alexis: What is it about Savannah that makes her completely unforgettable to Michael?

Melony: Michael and Savannah were close friends, so he remembers all the things he liked about her back when they were both teenagers. He remembers her quirky ways and her South African accent. He has to deal with some regrets from their past, and reconnect and rekindle their friendship. I love this line from Michael as he describes Savannah: “Women were generally confusing enough—but this was Savannah, who took confusing to a whole new level.”

Alexis: Why does Savannah prefer to escape into happily ever after fiction stories than face the real world and deal with people who don’t live in books?

Melony: Savannah, being widowed, is trying to protect her wounded heart and needs to grieve and heal. It’s understandable that she’d rather risk her heart on a fictional hero, rather than a real life one who might break her heart.

Alexis: What was your favorite scene to write in this story? Why?

Melony: Oh goodness, I had so much fun writing many of the scenes in A Promise to Keep, but I think the ones I loved the most is the ones with a certain character who likes to watch the weather channel and his spat with Donovan Radcliffe. I guess I had so much fun with it because both of these characters showed up and staked their claim. I like characters like that.

Alexis: If you could sit down with Savannah at your local coffee shop for a girl talk, how would you take your coffee and what would be the first topic of your conversation?

Melony: I actually prefer a latte, with a shot or two of espresso. No sugar. I rarely drink straight coffee. I’d chat to Savannah about books. We share a love of romance novels and the classics, so there would be much to talk about.

Alexis: What do you want readers to remember the most about A Promise to Keep?

Melony: In A Promise to Keep, Michael McCann says this to Savannah: “The things in my life that bring regret are not so much things I did. More like things I didn’t do. Words I should have said. Moments I should have cherished. It’s funny, but in hindsight, I see them all clearly. It’s harder to recognize an opportunity you’re missing while you’re in it.”

We can all relate to this. It’s a reminder to us as readers to enjoy every moment and be present. Regrets are often about what we didn’t do as a result of fear or for other reasons. What hits home is the fact that we sometimes don’t see the opportunities right in front of us and we are always looking ahead, searching for that elusive thing that will make us happy. Sometimes, we already have it. I think we can learn from Michael’s mistakes.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Melony! Would you like to share closing thoughts?

Melony: In closing, I’d like to say thank you for hosting me here! I hope readers will be inspired when they read the book, and I look forward to hearing from readers.

~*~
About the Author:

Melony Teague writes contemporary romance with a dash of humor, she loves to inspire and motivate others through her written words, and she believes everyone has a story to tell.

Melony is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, and she is the co-author of As the Ink Flows, a devotional for authors.

Her fiction debut, A Promise to Keep, releases on Jan 21, 2020.

Melony was born in South Africa and now lives in Toronto with her handsome husband, their two teenagers, and does the bidding of her two adorable cats.

~*~
About the Book:

Research librarian Savannah Sanderson wants nothing more than to escape into her happily-ever-after novels with their larger-than-life fictional heroes. 

But a promise to her late husband has her attending her dreaded twenty-year high school reunion, drinking ghastly punch, and taking desperate measures just to keep her vow, even if she has to hide behind the décor to do it.

Once a reckless troublemaker, Michael McCann fled town after graduation. Now a professional technical rescuer, he’s back for the reunion, but on his trip down memory lane, he soon comes face to face with unresolved issues, namely Savannah.

Before the night is over, a pact between these two old friends will lead them on an adventure into uncharted emotional territory where Michael must confront his past regrets and find the courage to reveal the truth. But can Savannah fly from her sheltered nest and risk her heart on a real-life hero? 

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Buy Melony's book on Amazon 

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Connect with Melony:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melonyteague/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelonyTeague

Read with Audra Blog Tour featuring Karin Beery and her debut book

Welcome to my blog's stop on Karin Beery's first "Read with Audra" blog tour!

Karin is a new author who is putting her first published book out there into the world. The book is called Summer Plans and Other Disasters.

Here's my review, short and sweet: I thought that this book was pretty amazing for a new author! The characters are likable, the plot is intriguing and the dialogue is fresh. I think that you should give this book a chance!

~*~
About the Book:
Elementary school music teacher Callie Stevens thinks she’s finally figured out God’s plan for her life—she even made a list to keep her on track.

Moving in with her brother and reconnecting with her ex-boyfriend are at the top of the list. What’s not on the list is running into her childhood crush, Ryan. God wanted her to connect with Kyle, right?

Trying to figure out God’s plan is hard enough. But a dating-averse older brother, the young blonde who adores him, a pregnant best friend, and Callie’s continual mishaps make her wonder whether her best-laid plans were truly God-inspired.

Now available from Elk Lake Publishing!

~*~
About the Author:

Karin wrote her first novel in 2007 to cope with her husband’s cancer diagnosis (no worries – he’s cancer free now!). With the support and encouragement of her family, she submitted that manuscript. That particular manuscript has not been published yet, but Summer Plans and Other Disasters, her first published book, releases in September 2018.

Karin writes contemporary and speculative fiction stories with a healthy dose of romance, but she’s also expanded her repertoire: she writes feature stories for the local paper, copy material for businesses, and blog posts for herself and others. She even edits (offering copy editing, fiction editing, and critiques through Write Now Editing Services) and teaches (she’s the Substantive Fiction Editing instructor for the PEN Institute and can be found around the country teaching writing and editing courses at conferences and at her local college).

When Karin’s not reading, writing, or editing, she enjoys cooking and baking. She plays the piano and sings (the key of E, please). She kayaks with her husband in the summer, watches football in the fall (Go Blue!), and enjoys Christmas lights all winter long. 

Shy but extroverted, Karin adores her nieces and nephew and loves spending time with her family. Learn more about Karin at karinbeery.com.

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Connect with Karin:
Facebook - www.facebook.com/authorkarinbeery/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/karinbeery
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/karinbeery/

Elk Lake Publishing (for tagging) details:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ElkLakePublishingInc/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/ElkLakePubInc
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/elklakepubinc/

Book Review about answering God's call and stepping out on faith

Erin R. Dooley, a movie maker/new author, reached out to me asking if I would write a review of her new book. After reading the blurb for her book and hearing her story, I said yes to promoting her book and her movie on my blog. 

Today's post is the first of exactly four features that will be published on my blog between now and next month because Erin has quite a story to share and I'm happy to assist in telling it. 

Enjoy today's feature which is my review of her book!

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My Review of Erin R. Dooley’s book,  “You Want Me To Do What, God?!”

This true-life story by Erin R. Dooley is a great read!

God calls His faithful followers to do things for Him. For some, it may mean moving to another country and working in underserved communities. For others, it may mean becoming a missionary in a foreign country and telling the world about the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. Answering God’s call can mean a lot of things—and adventures—but for Erin, it meant making a movie without the help of a major studio or an established production company. Hesitant at first but then determined to be obedient to God, Erin decided to take that step of faith and do what God asked her to do. So she embarked on a journey that led the making of the award-winning Christian musical film, “Broken & Beautiful”.

The title of Erin’s book “You Want Me To Do What, God?!” is explained in the pages of her story. She takes the reader on her journey of stepping out on faith and doing what God asked of her to do. It was quite the journey filled with highs and lows, doubts and dreams come true! The author made her story detailed and digestible for her readers to consume. Erin’s book starts with a Foreword, followed by a Preface then she tells her story and wraps it up in exactly 10 chapters. Lesson points and questions for the reader conclude each chapter. This interactive feature encourages the reader to remember the highlights from each chapter and think about applying the concepts to their own real-life story. Every chapter opens with a Bible verse before diving into another scene from Erin’s journey of answering God’s call.

This book was insightful, filled with humor and hope. It inspired me as the reader and reminded me that great things happen when you answer God’s call.

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About the book: You Want Me To Do What, God?! is a look at the faith of saying "yes" to God's call even when you don't understand what He is asking of you. Written in a conversational tone, author Erin R. Dooley takes the reader behind the scenes of making the faith-based film Broken & Beautiful. Part devotional, with scripture verses and reflection questions, and part testimonial, based on journal entries during filming, the book presents an approachable perspective to living out your faith.

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Author Bio: 

Erin R. Dooley is an award-winning screenwriter, filmmaker, speaker, and author. 

Erin has produced two feature films, numerous short films, two comedy web series, a docu-series, and one feature documentary. 

Erin and her projects have been featured in 20 different media outlets, including Newsweek's "Guide Of What To Watch." "You Want Me to Do What, God?!" is her first book. 

She lives in Los Angeles County.

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Connect with Erin:
Movie Page on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/brokenandbeautifulmovie/

Business Page on Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/DASHEntertainment/

Movie Feed on Twitter - https://twitter.com/Brokn_Beautiful
Production Company Feed on Twitter - https://twitter.com/DASH_Entertain
Personal Feed on Twitter - https://twitter.com/erindooley34

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Cozy Christmas Reads: Dori's story

Interview with Dori Harrell, author of A Christmas Hallelujah:

Alexis: Congrats on the Nov. 6 release of your debut novel, A Christmas Hallelujah! How long has this book been in the works?

Dori: Hi, Alexis! Thank you for hosting me on your blog! I’m excited to join you here.A Christmas Hallelujah had been in the works since spring 2017, when I was invited to join the e-book boxed set Wonderland Wishes, which features seven brand-new Christmas stories. Wonderland Wishes is doing so well as an e-book that I launched A Christmas Hallelujah as a paperback, as I had so many requests for a “book I can hold in my hands.”

Alexis: How does it feel to be a first-time author, especially with your background as a sought-after book editor?

Dori: I’m a well-published and award-winning article writer, but publishing my debut fiction book is thrilling. But the real thrill is writing a story worthy of readers, poring over the plot and story line and sentences and words, keeping the reader in mind at every turn.

Alexis: Why did you choose to write Contemporary Romance and not another genre?

Dori: I’ve been a longtime reader of contemporary romance, and I had a concept for a small-town series set in my area, the beautiful Yakima Valley in Washington state. Contemporary romance was the perfect genre for that series.

Alexis: Describe this book’s setting, Cranberry Creek. What makes it special?

Dori: This small town in the Yakima Valley bills itself as the holiday destination of central Washington. The town had been rundown at one time, with closed-up shops in a dwindling downtown. In the early 2000s, wineries started locating in Cranberry Creek (Washington state is the USA’s second-largest wine-producing region in the nation, second only to California, and the Yakima Valley is Washington’s largest producer of wine grapes). Town officials and community members seized the opportunity to transform the city, and they created a bustling downtown of boutique stores, wineries, and coffee shops (no chains). Cranberry Creek goes all out for the holidays and is a prominent holiday destination in central Washington—and beyond.

Featured in the story both physically and metaphorically are the Cascade Mountains, the mountain range dividing western Washington from eastern Washington. Life on the west side of the Cascades is fast-paced and technology based, while on the east side, it’s slower paced and agricultural based. Cranberry Creek is set east of the Cascades, and the west-side versus east-side division is a feature in the plot.

Alexis: Let’s talk about the heroine in your story, Piper Castleton. What’s she like? Describe her dreams, motivation, and the conflict that blocks her from achieving her goals.

Dori: Piper, a children’s book illustrator, is special and amazing, but she doesn’t know it. When her mom takes off to “find herself,” Piper is thrust into the role of parenting her teenage sister, Libby, and managing the family alpaca ranch. Piper feels like a failure, like she can’t get Libby under control, like she doesn’t know where to turn next, and like her future is uncertain—which it is. Her dream is that her mother come home to take care of Libby. But if her mother doesn’t return home, Piper will have to finish raising Libby alone, because under no circumstances will Piper abandon her sister (Piper and Libby’s father had died two years before the story begins).

Libby doesn’t want to celebrate the holidays without their mother, but Piper insists they celebrate Christmas, which of course Libby resists and resents.

The turmoil in Piper’s life means that romance isn’t even on the back burner of her mind, so when Alex comes her way unexpectedly, she can hardly fathom future possibilities given the elements working against her and Alex. But she certainly dreams about the possibilities.

Alexis: Let’s talk about the hero of your story, Alex Saunders. What is he like? Describe his heart, motivation, and the conflict that stands in the way of his dreams.

Dori: Alex is not your typical alpha-male hero. He’s a kindhearted single dad who’s stepping out of his comfort zone—the Seattle area and his Belltown condo—for the first time since his wife died a year and a half ago. He agrees to spend Christmas on the east side of the Cascades at his parents’ Cranberry Creek home, and his focus is on raising his three-and-a-half-year-old son, Jake. His dream would be to fix his past, but without that possibility, he struggles to know how to proceed in the present, because what he does affects Jake—who suffers from severe anxiety separation disorder and is glued to his dad’s side 24/7.

Even though Alex views Piper as one of the most quality women he’s ever met, how can he consider moving forward in a relationship with her when he can’t even take her on a real date, when he can’t see her without a child present, and when he lives on the other side of the mountains? Alex can design apps that solve all kinds of problems, but he can’t design any that solve the problems in his own life. He dreams of a normal life, in which Jake goes to Sunday school and preschool without his dad, in which Alex gets a chance to do things different (he really screwed up in his past) with the woman he’s falling in love with.

Alexis: What role does Alex’s son play in this story? Describe his significance.

Dori: Jake is a little charmer, but he panics big time if he can’t see his dad, so Jake even has to sleep in the same room as his father. He goes to work with his dad and considers Alex’s office Jake’s office too. His dad designs apps, and Jake considers that his job too.

This is the first time Jake’s been around his grandparents for any length of time, and while Alex had never even thought much about the east side of the state, Jake responds well to the slower-paced life—and to the addition of his grandparents and Piper and Libby (as well as their alpacas) to his life.

And even as Alex makes plans to see a psychologist to get help for him and Jake, the new relationships in Jake’s life, particularly his friendship with Libby, begin to heal Jake—and for that matter, Libby too.

Alexis: Alpacas are an important feature in this story. Why?

Dori: Alpacas are sweet creatures, and an alpaca farm presented a great opportunity to showcase the healing relationships between Piper and Libby, as well as Jake and Alex. And that healing produces an opportunity for two people to form a romantic relationship when previously, neither had believed that was a possibility.

Alexis: Describe the research that you did to write this story. How much time did it take? Where did you go?

Dori: I did extensive research into alpaca farming, and I discovered a rare element to the creatures that changed the direction of the characters, plot, and story line. I was able to weave the story around this rare element. I’m dying to give it away, but I want your readers to discover it for themselves!

In addition, I spent all day at the local alpaca farm that I based my setting on, Sage Bluff Alpacas in Prosser, Washington (also east of the Cascades). The owners graciously spent time and energy teaching me important facts about alpaca farming and the response of the animals to children. And they also clued me into “pronking”—a near daily event by crias (baby alpacas). If “pronking” intrigues you, be sure to read the story!

Besides the alpaca farm, I researched severe separation anxiety disorder and what is done to resolve it. In A Christmas Hallelujah, the resolution (though it’s not totally resolved in the story) is centered on the grace of God, how His plans for solving our problems are so much great than the avenues we try to create for ourselves.

Overall, I spent several days researching the various elements of the story (including Belltown), with the goal of giving it more depth and continuity.

Alexis: Describe Piper and Alex’s cute meet. What were their first impressions of each other? Were they lasting impressions? Explain.

Dori: Alex and Jake (there could be no meeting without Jake present, given his anxiety separation disorder) meet Piper on her alpaca farm, and shortly thereafter, Libby storms onto the property, furious with Piper.

Even though Alex is initially attracted (much to his surprise) to the redheaded Piper, he’s instantly on guard, as the last thing he needs is more drama, and it looks like Piper’s life is loaded with it.

Piper’s attracted to Alex but sees him as a Seattleite, a west-side techie guy who wouldn’t be interested in an east-side ranch girl. When Libby arrives, Piper becomes anxious because Libby makes a terrible scene, and Piper figures she won’t see Alex and Jake again—but it’s not as if she had planned to see them again anyway.

And then…Libby sees Jake, and an unexpected and heartwarming friendship begins between the four that leads to God revealing his plan of grace for Alex and Piper.

So in the case of this story, yes, the lasting impressions do remain—but the characters work to develop a romance despite the conflicts, even when the resolutions are so uncertain.

Alexis: What is it about Alex that warms Piper’s heart and what is it about Piper that makes Alex want to be with her forever?

Dori: Piper loves how dedicated Alex is to his son and how kind he is to Libby, even though Libby is so difficult sometimes. Alex never condemns Piper for how she handles her sister, but rather he goes out of his way to support her and Libby, even given the hardship of his own situation. And when Alex is near, it seems as if Piper’s future is filled with possibilities rather than impossibilities. A song begins in her heart, one she’s never heard.

As for Alex, he recognizes quality when he sees it, and he’s impressed with the sacrifice Piper willingly makes for her sister (Piper left her thriving career in Spokane to return to the family farm). He’s also touched by her sensitivity and fondness for Jake. And he loves Piper’s ponytail! Even though he lives on the other side of the Cascades, how can he—after the holidays—possibly return home and to his life on the west side? What would the loss of Piper and Libby mean to Jake?

Alex knows he’d be crazy to let Piper slip away, and he realizes she’s a package deal—she comes with her sister. But while that give him pause, it doesn’t scare him—because he’s a package deal too. But how will he conquer the mountain dividing them?

Alexis: If you could spend the Christmas holiday with Piper and Alex, what would you do?

Dori: I’d spend it with them at the alpaca farm, cozying up to the animals, drinking homemade mulled apple cider, enjoying an elk roast, swinging on the tire swing under the Chestnut tree, and sitting around the outdoor fire pit while snow drifts softly from the sky.

Alexis: What do you want readers to remember most about this book?

Dori: That God’s grace is more amazing than we can even fathom, that His plans for us are so much greater than those we make for ourselves—enough to make us want to shout “Hallelujah!”

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Dori! Would you like to share closing thoughts?

Dori: Thank you, Alexis, for your joyful heart and for this interview—I appreciate you and your readers! And I wish you and your readers a Merry Christmas! What in your life causes you to shout “Hallelujah” this Christmas season?

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Author Bio:

Dori Harrell is a multiple-award winning writer, and she reads more books than anyone she knows. 

Dori grew up on the rainy west side of the Cascade Mountains in Washington state, in the Seattle area, and graduated from the University of Washington. She crossed over to the sunny, arid east side of the Cascades when she married her husband, Doug. She’s an avid runner and knitter and loves to camp, fish, hike, and watch Seahawks games (go Hawks). 

She and Doug have four grown children, and they don’t get to see their seven grandchildren nearly enough. A Christmas Hallelujah is her debut books and is book 1 of the Cranberry Creek series.

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Blurb for Dori's book, A Christmas Hallelujah:

Romance is the last thing on either of their minds—who’d take on their drama anyway?

When her mom decides it’s time to “find herself” and takes off to points unknown, illustrator Piper Castleton finds herself in charge of her hurting, troubled teenage sister and the family’s alpaca ranch. Giving up her job in the city and returning to the farm is a no-brainer, but how is she supposed to raise her sister when all she wants is their mother back? And Christmas? That’s off the table.

Alex Saunders’s young son was diagnosed with severe separation anxiety disorder after his mother’s death a year and a half ago, and he hasn’t left Alex’s side in months. Alex is stretched too thin to even think about celebrating Christmas this year, so when his mom suggests they spend the holidays in Cranberry Creek, he cautiously agrees.

But when Piper and Alex meet, life takes a few unexpected turns. As a surprising and heartwarming friendship unfolds before their eyes, will Piper and Alex orchestrate a Christmas hallelujah out of the beautiful messes that are their lives?

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Buy Dori's book A Christmas Hallelujah on Amazon

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Connect with Dori:
Website - doriharrell.com
Reader group - http://eepurl.com/c5vCLn
Email - dori@doriharrell.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/doriauthor/
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/doriraeharrell/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/dori_harrell
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/doriharrell/

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